On the heels of Countdown host Keith Olbermanns firing from Current TV, the network and sources close to it have been quick to buttress their case for the dismissal with details of the temperamental stars antics. One such source tells Mediaite, among other things, that Olbermann went through 8 different car services (he doesnt drive), and complained to the network that some of the drivers smelled, and talked to him, the latter detail echoing a leak that once dogged then-Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain.

Earlier, Howard Kurtz tweeted that he was Hearing allegation that Olbermann switched car cos and vendors because Current didnt pay the bills, which Olbermann retweeted, but our source says that is not true, that Kurtz has been contacted about the item, and that no one else at Current has had this issue.

The network fired Olbermann for what it says is breach of contract, citing unauthorized absences from work, failure to promote the network, and disparagement of the company and its executives.

In a statement following his dismissal, Olbermann said that the claims against me implied in Currents statement are untrue, and complained that the network didnt keep its promises and obligations and investing in a quality news program.

But according to our source, Olbermanns set, which was designed by production designer Jim Fengagen and cost about a quarter of a million dollars, was built to Olbermanns specifications. When the set experienced some lighting problems in December, however, Olbermann not only refused to use the set, he ordered his crew not to use it even for guest hosts.

While Olbermann is threatening legal action, and Im no lawyer, its tough to see how he has anything more than a balsawood leg to stand on, at least where his central complaint is concerned. Even the most casual observer, when faced with his gripe that the network wasnt spreading the cheddar around, would have to say What did you expect?

Olbermann went into this knowing that Current was pushing all of its chips (literally and figuratively) in on him, and that there would be some lean times for the network (not for Olbermann, who reportedly received about $50k per show) while they built their schedule, and their audience. Olbermann even acknowledged as much on a press call hyping the re-launch of Countdown, discussing the ways in which the network would work around its lack of resources with elbow grease and adaptability. For him to wake up a few months later and say Wheres the money, honey? (even as his pockets were stuffed with it) smacks of bad faith. Ditto the kabuki scheduling theater he engineered over the networks coverage of the Iowa caucuses in January.

In addition to hissy fits about the car service and the set, the network says Olbermann refused to promote the network. According to our source, that included not allowing Current to promote the show when he was absent (almost half the time in January and February), the guest host or the program, including barring staff from sending out Twitter updates, and not allowing the guest host to promote the program.

They also say he refused to be in promotional material that included either Cenk Uygur or former Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm, or their shows, and wouldnt mention either of them on his own show. Behind the scenes, network executives have praised the surprising ratings success of Countdowns lead-in and lead-out programs, which at the time, sources said, didnt necessarily sit well with Olbermann. If he felt threatened by these successes, he may have been right: Days before he was fired, Current learned that The Young Turks has been beating him in the key 25-54 demographic, while execs have been citing strong audience retention by Granholm and Keiths fill-ins.

Olbermann plans to counter Currents PR offensive with an appearance on The Late Show with David Letterman on Tuesday, but its unclear how much good it will do, or who the audience for that even is. The last time Olbermann was fired, the story dominated the news cycle for days, and generated significant traffic for this site. Last night, the news of Olbermanns firing was eclipsed (by more than double) by Piers Morgans interview with Touré.

That same question can be said of Current, but given the performance of Olbermanns stablemates of late, theyre no worse off without him, and a good deal more flush.

I said in an earlier thread there may be some truth behind Howard Kurtz’s tweet. This claims not. But it also mentions Current’s relatively small budget. I still wouldn’t be surprised his income played at least a small roll in his fast exit.

It’s bad enough having a big mouthed jerk as your featured host. It’s worse when you pay him mega bucks and he back stabs you...

He must be a born, raised and stayed NY City resident. Many such people never learn to drive. I learned only after I left, at age 22. One of my childhood friends remained in Manhattan and has never learned.

Oberman's bio at Wiki sheds a little light on Oberman's radical liberalism and related stupidity - - it is likely the result of brain damage. No Joke.

Olbermann suffers from a mild case of coeliac disease, as well as restless legs syndrome. In August 1980, he also suffered a head injury while "leaping" onto the NYC subway. This head injury permanently upset his equilibrium, resulting in his avoidance of driving.

This is so sad. Keith is such a wonderful, sane individual.
I saw him ranting in MSNBC a couple of years ago and was actually laughing. it looked like he had rabies with a maniacal look on his face. I actually wonder what the IQ of the average person who watched his show (both of them).
It also shows the intelligence of AlGore paying this moron the money he did. 5 mill a year ? You would think Gore is spending taxpayers money !

and complained to the network that some of the drivers smelled, and talked to him

Some of the drivers "talked" to him.

Wow. He is a big boy and somebody talked to him. Wussy.

I drove some tennis celebrities for 5 years at a local tennis tournament as a volunteer. A lot of the players were preocupied with winning and did not wish to talk. I had no problem with that. However, some of the more prosperous players did not mind chatting when not preocupied. The Williams sisters had a reputation for being very welcoming to the volunteers, and drivers like family.

On the other hand, there was one Russian lady player whose antics on the court are well known. She never would talk with the volunteers at all, though her English is quite good. Glad I never drove her.

Were I driving Odermann, I'd drop him off at the landfill.

29
posted on 03/31/2012 1:53:34 PM PDT
by The_Media_never_lie
(A free country and a lying media are incompatible.)

According to an individual with knowledge of the situation, that dispute was part of a larger chain of errors by Olbermann, who was fired for a "serial, material breach of his contract" such as the failure to show up to work, sabotaging the network and attacking Current.

That individual said Olbermann missed 19 of 41 working days during January and February and asked for vacation the night before Super Tuesday, giving the network "strong legal foundation" for dismissing Olbermann.

Another Freeper posted in the last couple of days that Olbermann had an accident years ago (the 90s?) that affected his equilibrium. He is not able to drive because of that.

Of course, if this guy was actually friendly, he could have carpooled into work with a colleague, with a deal to split the gas/parking. Must suck to have an ego to big to fit into anybody’s car, for love or money.

38
posted on 03/31/2012 2:18:29 PM PDT
by married21
(As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.)

No, no on the carpool issue. “Stars” never drive themselves nor do they carpool. The have drivers for that ...like they have personal assistants to handle their dry cleaning, errands, and shopping. A “stylist” handles their clothing; hair and make up make them “look” presentable. On air talent only has show up& read the prompter. Such a hard, hard life.

43
posted on 03/31/2012 2:31:44 PM PDT
by PennsylvaniaMom
(Just because you are paranoid it doesn't mean they aren't out to get you.)

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